Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Leeby Captain Robert E. Lee, His Son

Chapter XIThe Idol of the South

Photographs and autographs in demand--The General's interest in youngpeople--His happy home life--Labours at Washington College--He gainsfinancial aid for it--Worsley's translation of Homer dedicated to him--Tributes from other English scholars

The people of Virginia and of the entire South were continually givingevidence of their intense love for General Lee. From all nations,even from the Northern States, came to him marks of admiration andrespect. Just at this time he received many applications for hisphotograph with autograph attached. I believe there were none of thelittle things in life so irksome to him as having his picture takenin any way, but, when able to comply, he could not refuse to do whatwas asked of him by those who were willing and anxious to do so muchfor him.

In the following letter the photographs referred to had been sent tohim for his signature, from a supply that my mother generally kept onhand. She was often asked for them by those who very consideratelydesired to save my father the trouble:

"Lexington, November 21, 1865.

"My Dear Mary: I have just received your letter of the 17th, and returnthe photographs with my signatures. I wrote to you by the boat ofyesterday morning. I also sent you a packet of letters by CaptainWilkinson [commander of the canal packet], which also ought to havereached you to-day. I have nothing to add to my former letters, andonly write now that you may receive the photos before you leave. Ianswered Agnes' letter immediately, and inclosed her several letters.I was in hopes she had made up her mind to eschew weddings and stickto her pap. I do not think she can help little Sallie. Besides, shewill not take the oath--how can she get married? The wedding partyfrom this place go down in the boat to-night to Lynchburg--MissWilliamson and Captain Eoff. They are to be married in church ateight P. M. and embark at eleven. I wish them a pleasant passageand am glad I am not of the party. The scenery along the river willno doubt be cheering and agreeable. I think the repairs of the housewill be completed this week; should the furniture arrive, it will behabitable next. The weather is still beautiful, which is in ourfavour. I am glad Caroline is so promising. I have engaged no servanthere yet, nor have I found one to my liking. we can get some of somekind, and do better when we can. I have heard nothing of the weddingat 'Belmead,' and do not think Preston will go. Mrs. Cocke is verywell, but the furniture she intends for your room is not yet completed.It will be more comfortable and agreeable to you to go at once to thehouse on your arrival. But if there is anything to make it moredesirable for you to come before the house is ready, you must come tothe hotel. If we could only get comfortable weather in December, itwould be better not to go into the house until it is dry, the painthard, etc. It will require all this week to get the wood done; thenit must be scoured, etc., and the furniture properly arranged. TellRob he will soon be well. He must cheer up and come and see his papa.Give my love to Mrs. Cocke, Miss Mary, etc., etc. Tell Agnes, if shethinks Sallie is IN EXTREMIS, to go to her. I do not want her to passaway, but it is a great disappointment to me not to have her with me.I am getting very old and infirm now, and she had better come to herpapa and take care of him.

"Most affectionately yours, R. E. Lee.

"Mrs. M. C. Lee."

My father was always greatly interested in the love affairs of hisrelatives, friends, and acquaintances. His letters during the warshow this in very many ways. One would suppose that the generalcommanding an army in active operations could not find the time evento think of such trifles, much less to write about them; but he knewof very many such affairs among his officers and even his men, andwould on occasion refer to them before the parties themselves, verymuch to their surprise and discomfiture. Bishop Peterkin, of WestVirginia, who served on the staff of General Pendleton, tells me ofthe following instances, in illustration of this characteristic:

"It was in the winter of 1863-4, when we were camped near Orange CourtHouse, that, meeting the General after I had come back from a shortvisit to Richmond, he asked after my father, and then said, 'Did yousee Miss ---?' and I replied, 'No, sir; I did not.' Then again, 'Didyou see Miss ---?' and when I still replied 'No,' he added, with asmile, 'How exceedingly busy you must have been.'

"Again--at the cavalry review at Brandy Station, on June 8, 1863--we had galloped all around the lines, when the General took his postfor the 'march past,' and all the staff in attendance grouped themselvesabout him. There being no special orders about our positions, I gotpretty near the General. I noticed that several times he turnedand looked toward an ambulance near us, filled with young girls. AtAt last, after regiments and brigades had gone by, the Horse Artillerycame up. The General turned and, finding me near him, said, 'Go andtell that young lady with the blue ribbon in her hat that such-and-sucha battery is coming.'

"I rode up and saluted the young lady. There was great surprise shownby the entire party, as I was not known to any of them, and when Icame out with my message there was a universal shout, while the Generallooked on with a merry twinkle in his eye. It was evidently thefollowing up on his part of some joke which he had with the young ladyabout an officer in this battery."

My mother had arranged to start for Lexington on November 28th, viathe canal, but for some reason was prevented on that day. In his nextletter, my father, who was most anxious that she should make the journeybefore the bad weather set in, expresses his disappointment at notfinding her on the packet on the expected morning.

"Lexington, Virginia, November 20, 1865.

"My Dear Mary: I am much disappointed that you did not arrive on theboat last night, and as you had determined when you wrote Saturday,the 25th, to take the boat as it passed Tuesday, I fear you wereprevented either by the indisposition of yourself or of Robert's. Ishall, however, hope that it was owing to some less distressing cause.Our room is all ready and looks remarkably nice. Mrs. Cocke, in hergreat kindness, seems to have provided everything for it that yourequire, and you will have nothing to do but to take possession. Theladies have also arranged the other rooms as far as the furniturewill allow. They have put down the carpets in the parlour, dining-room,and two chambers upstairs, and have put furniture in one room. Theyhave also put up the curtains in the rooms downstairs, and put a tableand chairs in the dining-room. We have, therefore, everything whichis required for living, as soon as the crockery, etc., arrives from'Derwent,' of which as yet I have heard nothing. Neither has thefurniture from Baltimore arrived, and the season is so far advancedthat we may be deprived of that all winter. But with what we now have,if we can get that from 'Derwent,' we shall do very well. There issome report of the packets between this place and Lynchburg beingwithdrawn from the line, which renders me more uneasy about yourjourney up. This is a bright and beautiful morning, and there is noindication of a change of weather, but the season is very uncertain,and snow and ice may be upon us any day. I think you had better comenow the first opportunity. Do not take the boat which passes 'Bremo'Saturday. It reaches Lynchburg Sunday morning, arriving here Mondaynight. You would in that case have to lie at the wharf at Lynchburgall day Sunday. I have heard of Agnes' arrival in Richmond, and shallbe happy to have 'Precious Life' write me again. I have engaged a manfor the balance of the year, who professes to know everything. Hecan at least make up fires, and go on errands, and attend to the yardand stable. I have heard nothing of Jimmy. Give my kind regards toall at 'Bremo.' Custis is well and went to the boat to meet you thismorning. The boat stops one and one-quarter miles from town. Remainaboard until we come.

"Most affectionately yours, R. E. Lee.

"P.S.--Since writing the foregoing I have received your letter ofthe 28th. I shall expect you Saturday morning. R. E. L.

"Mrs. M. C. Lee."

At this time the packet-boat from Lynchburg to Lexington, via theJames River and Kanawha Canal, was the easiest way of reaching Lexingtonfrom the outside world. It was indeed the only way, except by stagefrom Goshen, twenty-one miles distant, a station of the Chesapeake &Ohio R. R. The canal ran from Lynchburg to Richmond, and just afterthe war did a large business. The boats were very uncertain in theirschedules, and my father was therefore very particular in his directionsto my mother, to insure her as far as he could a comfortable journey[my father was not aware, when he wrote such explicit directions aboutthe route, that Colonel Ellis had again put his boat at my mother'sservice].

We did get off at last, and after a very comfortable trip arrived atLexington on the morning of December 2d. My father, on Traveller, wasthere to meet us, and, putting us all in a carriage, escorted us toour new home. On arriving, we found awaiting us a delicious breakfastsent by Mrs. Nelson, the wife of Professor Nelson. The house was ingood order--thanks to the ladies of Lexington--but rather bare offurniture, except my mother's rooms. Mrs. Cocke had completelyfurnished them, and her loving thoughtfulness had not forgotten thesmallest detail. Mrs. Margaret J. Preston, the talented and well-knownpoetess, had drawn the designs for the furniture, and a one-armedConfederate soldier had made it all. A handsomely carved grand piano,presented by Stieff, the famous maker of Baltimore, stood alone in theparlour. The floors were covered with the carpets rescued fromArlington--much too large and folded under to suit the reduced size ofthe rooms. Some of the bedrooms were partially furnished, and thedining-room had enough in it to make us very comfortable. We wereall very grateful and happy--glad to get home--the only one we hadhad for four long years.

My father appeared bright and even gay. He was happy in seeing us all,and in knowing that my mother was comfortably established near to him.He showed us over the house, and pointed with evident satisfactionto the goodly array of pickles, preserves, and brandy-peaches whichour kind neighbors had placed in the store-room. Indeed, for days andweeks afterward supplies came pouring in to my mother from the peoplein the town and country, even from the poor mountaineers, who, anxiousto "do something to help General Lee," brought in hand-bags of walnuts,potatoes, and game. Such kindness--delicate and considerate always--aswas shown to my father's family by the people, both of the town andthe country around, not only then but to this day, has never beensurpassed in any community. It was a tribute of love and sympathyfrom honest and tender hearts to the man who had done all that he coulddo for them.

My father was much interested in all the arrangements of the house,even to the least thing. He would laugh merrily over the difficultiesthat appalled the rest of us. Our servants were few and unskilled,but his patience and self-control never failed. The silver of thefamily had been sent to Lexington for safe-keeping early in the war.When General Hunger raided the Valley of Virginia and advanced uponLexington, to remove temptation out of his way, this silver, in twolarge chests, had been intrusted to the care of the old and faithfulsergeant at the Virginia Military Institute, and he had buried it insome safe place known only to himself. I was sent out with him todig it up and bring it in. We found it safe and sound, but blackwith mould and damp, useless for the time being, so my father openedhis camp-chest and we used his forks, spoons, plates, etc., while hiscamp-stools supplied the deficiency in seats. He often teased mysisters about their experiments in cookery and household arts,encouraging them to renewed efforts after lamentable failures. Whenthey succeeded in a dish for the table, or completed any garment withtheir own hands, he was lavish with his praise. He would say:

"You are all very helpless; I don't know what you will do when I amgone," and

"If you want to be missed by your friends--be useful."

He at once set to work to improve all around him, laid out a vegetablegarden, planted roses and shrubs, set out fruit and yard trees, madenew walks and repaired the stables, so that in a short time we werequite comfortable and very happy. He at last had a home of his own,with his wife and daughters around him, and though it was not thelittle farm in the quiet country for which he had so longed, it wasvery near to it, and it gave rest to himself and those he loved mostdearly.

His duties as president of Washington College were far from light.His time was fully occupied, and his new position did not relievehim from responsibility, care and anxiety. He took pains to becomeacquainted with each student personally, to be really his guide andfriend. Their success gratified and pleased him, and their failures,in any degree, pained and grieved him, and their failures, in anydegree, pained and grieved him. He felt that he was responsiblefor their well-doing and progress, and he worked very hard to makethem good students and useful men.

The grounds and buildings of the college soon began to show his care,attention, and good taste. In all his life, wherever he happened tobe, he immediately set to work to better his surroundings. Thesites selected for his headquarter camps during the war, if occupiedfor more than a day, showed his tasteful touch. When superintendentat West Point, the improvements suggested and planned by him weregoing on for the three years he remained there. Very soon after heassumed charge of Arlington, the place showed, in its improvedcondition, the effects of his energetic industry. The college atLexington was a splendid field for the exercise of his abilities inthis line. The neighbouring Virginia Military Institute soon followedteh example he had set, and after a year the municipal authoritiesof Lexington were aroused to the necessity of bettering their streetsand sidewalks, and its inhabitants realised the need of improving andbeautifying their homes. He managed a very large correspondence,answering every letter when possible, the greater proportion with hisown hand. To the members of his own family who were away he wroteregularly, and was their best correspondent on home matters, tellingin his charming way all the sayings and doings of the household andthe neighbours.

My sister Agnes had gone to the wedding of Miss Warwick direct from"Bremo," and was in Richmond when my father sent her two of the firstletters he wrote after the arrival of my mother in Lexington:

"Lexington, Virginia, December 5, 1865.

"My Worrying Little Agnes: your letter of the 1st received to-night.I have autographed the photographs and send a gross of the latter anda lock of hair. Present my love to the recipients and thank them fortheir favours. Sally is going to marry a widower. I think I oughtto know, as she refused my son, and I do not wish to know his name.I wonder if she knows how many children he has. Tell Mr. Warwick Iam sorry for him. I do not know what he will do without his sweetdaughter. Nor do I know what I will do without her, either. Yourmother has written--Mildred, too--and I presume has told you alldomestic news. Custis is promenading the floor, Rob reading thepapers, and Mildred packing her dress. Your mamma is up to her eyesin news and I am crabbed as usual. I miss you very much and hopethis is the last wedding you will attend. Good-bye. Love to everybody.

"Your affectionate father, R. E. Lee.

"Miss Agnes Lee."

The other is dated nearly a month later, and from this it appears thatthe wedding so often referred to is about to take place:

"Lexington, Virginia, January 3, 1866.

"My Precious Little Agnes: I sat down to give my dear little Sally--for she is dear to me in the broadest, highest sense of the word--thebenefit of Jeremy Taylor's opinion on hasty marriages. But, onreflection, I fear it would be words lost, for your mother says herexperience has taught her that when a young woman makes up her mindto get married, you might as well let her alone. You must, therefore,just thank her for the pretty inkstand, and say that I'll need noreminder of her, but I do not know when I shall make up my mind tostain it with ink. I was very glad to receive your letter of the 26th,and to think that you were mindful of us. I know you do not wish tobe away, though you are striving to get as far away as possible.When you reach
Norfolk, you will be so convenient to New York, whencesteamers depart almost daily for Europe. Let us know when you sail.But I do not write to restrain your movements, though you know howsolitary I am without you. I inclose...which, with what I gave Mildred,I hope will answer your purpose. Send me or bring me the photographsI asked for. I like them of the last edition; they seem to take withthe little school-girls, and I have nothing else to give them. Ihope you will have a safe and pleasant trip. Tell Mr. Warwick I shallsorrow with him to-night--though I believe Mrs. Lee is right. Rememberme to all friends, and believe me,

"Your devoted father, R. E. Lee.

"Miss Agnes Lee."

The latter part of January my father was sent by the board of trusteesto Richmond to converse with the Committee on Education of the VirginiaLegislature, then in session, as to some funds of the State held byWashington College. His mission was, I believe, successful, andgreat material aid was gained. He remained no long than was absolutelynecessary, and, returning to his duties at Lexington, encountered asevere snow-storm. The difficulties he had to overcome are describedin the following letter to his daughter Agnes, whom he had met inRichmond, and who had gone from there to visit some friends in Norfolk:

"Lexington, Virginia, January 29, 1866.

"My Precious Little Agnes: I have received your letter of the 17th,transmitting the photographs, for which I am very much obliged. Ireturned the one for Miss Laura Lippett, whom I wish I could see onceagain. It would be more agreeable to me than any photograph. I hadquite a successful journey up, notwithstanding the storm. The snowincreased as we approached the mountains, and night had set in beforewe reached Staunton. The next morning, before sunrise, in spite ofthe predictions of the wise ones, I took passage on the single carwhich was attached to the locomotive, and arrived at Goshen about 10A. M., where, after some little encouragement, the stage-driver attachedhis horses to the stage, and we started slowly through the mountains,breaking the track. On reaching the Baths, the North River wasunfordable, but I was ferried across in a skiff, with all my bundles(I picked up two more in Staunton and one at Goshen) and packages,and took a stage detained on the opposite bank for Lexington, whereI arrived in good time. I found all as well as usual, and disappointedat not seeing you with me, though I was not expected. I told them howanxious you were to come with me, and how you wanted to see them, butthat you looked so wretchedly I could not encourage you. I hope youare now in Norfolk, and that the fish and oysters will fatten you andcure your feet!... But get strong and keep well, and do not wearyourself out in the pursuit of pleasure. I hope you will soon join us,and that Lexington may prove to you a happy home. Your mother is agreat sufferer, but is as quiet and uncomplaining as ever. Mildredis active and cheerful, and Custis and I as silent as our wont. MajorCampbell Brown is here on a visit. I am surprised to find him sucha talker. I am very sorry to find that Preston Cocke has been obligedto leave on account of his health. I have one comfort: my dear nephewwill never injure himself by studying. Do not be alarmed about him....Remember me to Colonel Taylor, all his mother's family, his wife, theBakers, Seldens, etc. I know none of the latter but the Doctor, forwhom I have always had a great esteem. Your mother, brother, andMildred send their best love and kindest wishes. I am always,

"Your devoted father, R. E. Lee.

"Miss Agnes Lee."

It was at Dr. Seldon's house that my sister was visiting. He had beenvery kind in offering assistance to my father and mother. I rememberwell the supper given me and several of my comrades when we were comingback from the surrender, and while the Doctor and his family wererefugees at Liberty, now Bedford City, Va. Stopping there one night,weary and hungry, while looking for quarters for man and beast, I gota note asking me and my friends to come to their house. An invitationof that kind was never refused in those days. We went and were treatedas if we had been sons of the house, the young ladies themselves waitingon us. In the morning, when we were about to start, they filled ourhaversacks with rations, and Mrs. Selden, taking me aside, offered mea handful of gold pieces saying that she had more and that she couldnot bear to think of my father's son being without as long as shepossessed any.

The love and devotion shown my father by all the people of the Southwas deeply appreciated by him. He longed to help them, but was almostpowerless. I think he felt that something could be done in thatdirection by teaching and training their youth, and I am sure this ideagreatly influenced him in deciding to accept the presidency ofWashington College. The advantages to the South of a proper educationof her youth were very evident to him. He strongly urged it whereverand whenever he could. In a letter written at this time to the ReverendG. W. Leyburn, he speaks very forcibly on the subject:

"So greatly have those interests [educational] been disturbed at theSouth, and so much does its future condition depend upon the risinggeneration, that I consider the proper education of its youth one ofthe most important objects now to be attained, and one from which thegreatest benefits may be expected. Nothing will compensate us for thedepression of the standard of our moral and intellectual culture, andeach State should take the most energetic measures to revive the schoolsand colleges, and, if possible, to increase the facilities forinstruction, and to elevate the standard of learning...."

"The thorough education of all classes of the people is the mostefficacious means, in my opinion, of promoting the prosperity of theSouth. The material interests of its citizens, as well as their moraland intellectual culture, depend upon its accomplishment. The text-books of our schools, therefore, should not only be clear, systematic,and scientific, but they should be acceptable to parents and pupilsin order to enlist the minds of all in the subjects."

In a letter to a friend in Baltimore he is equally earnest:

"I agree with you fully as to the importance of a more practical courseof instruction in our schools and colleges, which, calling forth thegenius and energies of our people, will tend to develop the resourcesand promote the interests of the country."

In many other letters at this time and later on, especially in oneto Professor Minor, who had been appointed with him upon a board bythe Educational Society of Virginia, did he urge the importance ofeducation for the present and future safety, welfare, and prosperityof the country. Among the many tokens of respect and admiration, love,and sympathy which my father received from all over the world, therewas one that touched him deeply. It was a "Translation of Homer'sIliad by Philip Stanhope Worsley, Fellow of Corpus Christi College,Oxford, England," which the talented young poet and author sent him,through the General's nephew, Mr. Edward Lee Childe, of Paris, aspecial friend of Mr. Worsley. I copy the latter's letter to Mr.Childe, as it shows some of the motives influencing him in thededication of his work:

"My Dear Friend: You will allow me in dedicating this work to you,to offer it at the same time as a poor yet not altogether unmeaningtribute of my reverence for your brave and illustrious uncle, GeneralLee. He is the hero, like Hector of the Iliad, of the most gloriouscause for which men fight, and some of the grandest passages in thepoem come to me with yet more affecting power when I remember hislofty character and undeserved misfortunes. The great names that yourcountry has bequeathed from its four lurid years of national life asexamples to mankind can never be forgotten, and among these none willbe more honoured, while history endures, by all true hears, than thatof your noble relative. I need not say more, for I know you must beaware how much I feel the honour of associating my work, howeverindirectly, with one whose goodness and genius are alike so admirable.Accept this token of my deepest sympathy and regard, and believe me,

"Ever most sincerely yours,

"P. S. Worsley."

On the fly-leaf of the volume he sent my father was written thefollowing beautiful inscription:

"The grand old bard that never dies, Receive him in our English tongue! I send thee, but with weeping eyes, The story that he sung.

"Thy Troy is fallen,--thy dear land Is marred beneath the spoiler's heel-- I cannot trust my trembling hand To write the things I feel.

"Ah, realm of tears!--but let her bear This blazon to the end of time: No nation rose so white and fair, None fell so pure of crime.

"The widow's moan, the orphan's wail, Come round thee; but in truth be strong! Eternal Right, though all else fail, Can never be made Wrong.

"An Angel's heart, an angel's mouth, Not Homer's, could alone for me Hymn well the great Confederate South-- Virginia first, and LEE.

"P. S. W."

His letter of thanks, and the one which he wrote later, when he heardof the ill health of Mr. Worsley--both of which I give here--showvery plainly how much he was pleased:

"Lexington, Virginia, February 10, 1866.

"Mr. P. S. Worsley.

"My Dear Sir: I have received the copy of your translation of theIliad which you so kindly presented to me. Its perusal has been myevening's recreation, and I have never more enjoyed the beauty andgrandeur of the poem than as recited by you. The translation is astruthful as powerful, and faithfully represents the imagery and rhythmof the bold original. The undeserved compliment in prose and verse,on the first leaves of the volume, I received as your tribute to themerit of my countrymen, who struggled for constitutional government.

"With great respect,

"Your obedient servant,

"R. E. Lee."

"Lexington, Virginia, March 14, 1866.

"My Dear Mr. Worsley: In a letter just received from my nephew, Mr.Childe, I regret to learn that, at his last accounts from you, youwere greatly indisposed. So great is my interest in your welfarethat I cannot refrain, even at the risk of intruding upon your sickroom,from expressing my sincere sympathy in your affliction. I trust,however, that ere this you have recovered and are again in perfecthealth. Like many of your tastes and pursuits, I fear you may confineyourself too closely to your reading. Less mental labour and moreof the fresh air of Heaven might bring to you more comfort, and to yourfriends more enjoyment, even in the way in which you now delight them.Should a visit to this distracted country promise you any recreation,I hope I need not assure you how happy I should be to see you atLexington. I can give you a quiet room, and careful nursing, and ahorse that would delight to carry you over our beautiful mountains.I hope my letter informing you of the pleasure I derived from theperusal of your translation of the Iliad, in which I endeavoured toexpress my thanks for the great compliment you paid me in itsdedication, has informed you of my high appreciation of the work.

"Wishing you every happiness in this world, and praying that eternalpeace may be your portion in that to come, I am most truly, Yourfriend and servant,

"R. E. Lee."

That winter, my father was accustomed to read aloud in the long eveningsto my mother and sisters "The Grand Old Bard," equally to his own andhis listeners' enjoyment.

Two or three years after this, Professor George Long, of England, adistinguished scholar, sent my father a copy of the second edition ofhis "Thoughts of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius." The first edition ofthis translation was pirated by a Northern publisher, who dedicatedthe book back to Emerson. This made Long very indignant, and heimmediately brought out a second edition with the following prefatorynote:

"...I have never dedicated a book to any man and if I dedicated this,I should choose the man whose name seemed to me most worthy to bejoined to that of the Roman soldier and philosopher. I might dedicatethe book to the successful general who is now the President of theUnited States, with the hope that his integrity and justice will restorepeace and happiness, so far as he can, to those unhappy States whichhave suffered so much from war and the unrelenting hostility of wickedmen. But as the Roman poet says,

"'Victrix causa deis placuit, sed victa Catoni;'

"And if I dedicated this little book to any man, I would dedicate itto him who led the Confederate armies against the powerful invader,and retired from an unequal contest defeated, but not dishonoured;to the noble Virginian soldier whose talents and virtues place him bythe side of the best and wisest man who sat on the throne of theimperial Caesars."

These two nearly similar tributes came from the best cultured thoughtof England, and the London Standard, speaking more for the nation atlarge, says:

"A country which has given birth to men like him, and those who followedhim, may look the chivalry of Europe in the face without shame; for theFATHERLANDS OF SIDNEY AND BAYARD NEVER PRODUCED A NOBLER SOLDIER,GENTLEMAN, AND CHRISTIAN THAN GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE."

In a letter to his old friend, Mr. H. Tutweiler, of Virginia, ProfessorLong sent the following message to my father, which, however, wasnever received by him, it having been sent to my mother only afterhis death:

"I did not answer General Lee's letter [one of thanks for the book,sent by Professor Long through Mr. Tutweiler], because I thought thathe is probably troubled with many letters. If you should have occasionto write to him, I beg you will present to him my most respectfulregards, and my hope that he will leave behind him some commentaryto be placed on the same shelf with Caesar's. I am afraid he is toomodest to do this. I shall always keep General lee's letter, and willleave it to somebody who will cherish the remembrance of a great soldierand a good man. If I were not detained here by circumstances, I wouldcross the Atlantic to see the first and noblest man of our days."

Another noble English gentleman, who had shown great kindness to theSouth and who was a warm admirer of General Lee, was the HonorableA. W. Beresford Hope. He, I think, was at the head of a number ofEnglish gentlemen who presented the superb statue of "Stonewall"Jackson by Foley to the State of Virginia. It now stands in the CapitolSquare at Richmond, and is a treasure of which the whole Commonwealthmay justly be proud. Through Mr. Hope, my father received a handsomecopy of the Bible, and, in acknowledgement of Mr. Hope's letter, hewrote the following:

"Lexington, Virginia, April 16, 1866.

"Honourable A. W. Beresford Hope, Bedgebury Park, Kent, England

"Sir: I have received within a few days your letter of November 14,1865, and had hoped that by this time it would have been followed bythe copy of the Holy Scriptures to which you refer, that I might haveknown the generous donors, whose names, you state, are inscribed onits pages. Its failure to reach me will, I fear, deprive me of thatpleasure, and I must ask the favour of you to thank them most heartilyfor their kindness in providing me with a book in comparison withwhich all others in my eyes are of minor importance, and which in allmy perplexities has never failed to give me light and strength.Your assurance of the esteem in which I am held by a large portionof the British nation, as well as by those for whom you speak, ismost grateful to my feelings, though I am aware that I am indebted totheir generous natures, and not to my own merit, for their good opinion.I beg, sir, that you will accept my sincere thanks for the kindsentiments which you have expressed toward me, and my unfeignedadmiration of your exalted character. I am, with great respect,

"Your most obedient servant,

"R. E. Lee."

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